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Breakdown cover glossary

Breakdown cover terms explained and jargon buster

When we talk about breakdown cover we might use some terms that aren't so easy to understand. Here we've tried to come up with a definitive list of breakdown cover jargon, and provided explanations to help you make sense of the words.

Breakdown professional

A trained, professional motor mechanic/recovery driver or specialist service provider.

Breakdown

The vehicle is incapable of operation as a whole because of mechanical or electrical failure, theft or attempted theft, vandalism, accidental damage, a flat tyre, a lack of fuel or incorrect fuelling during the period of cover. Failure of any parts of the vehicle to function e.g. an indicator, headlight, windscreen wiper or convertible roof does not constitute a breakdown unless the failure causes the vehicle to be incapable of operating as a whole or is likely to result in the driver being prosecuted for using a defective vehicle. The cover cannot be used as an alternative to regular servicing or maintenance or as a way to avoid paying for repairs.

Home address and Normal place of garaging

Your permanent residence we have on record at the time of a breakdown as supplied by you.

Motorail

A specific European Rail Service for transporting vehicles across Europe. Motorail services do not include Channel Tunnel rail services.

Passengers

Occupants of the vehicle (excluding hitch hikers).

Spouse/partner

Spouse, partner or civil partner residing at the same residential address.

Trip

A pre–booked continuous journey to the countries as specified within the geographical limits of Section G (UK & European Assist) which begins and ends in the UK within the policy period. The maximum amount of time you can spend abroad in total is 180 days during the policy period.

UK market value

The value for the relevant make and model as specified in Glass’s Guide or a recognised equivalent.

Vehicle

Any mechanically propelled vehicle, registered in the UK, that requires insurance for use on the public highway as specified under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and does not exceed any of the following dimensions when fully loaded:

Caravans and trailers - 8 metres in length (including A-frame)

Motorhomes - 8 metres in length or 7.5 tonnes in weight.

All other vehicles - 7 metres in length, 2.3 metres in width, 3 metres in height or 3.5 tonnes in weight.

All vehicles must also meet the criteria specified in Section B - Vehicles.

We, us and our

Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Limited, and where the context dictates, Liverpool Victoria Insurance Company Limited trading as LV=Britannia Rescue.

You, your and policyholder

The policyholder and where the context dictates any person who is travelling in and who requests assistance for the vehicle that is registered with us.